Project Description
Infrastructure development is crucial for the continued integration of Kosovo within the region, for attracting FDI, and for harmonisation with EU standards. The Government of Kosovo has prioritised enhancement of cross-border transport infrastructure, through ongoing reconstruction and development of the country’s major road and railway network, and environmental infrastructure. Total amounts committed in investments in infrastructure from International Financial Institutions (IFIs) in Kosovo in recent years are more than EUR 437 million in more than 10 projects. The EBRD is one of the leading IFIs in the infrastructure sector in Kosovo, having provided financing of EUR 138 million, to the road, rail and urban transport sector.
Implementation of IFI and EU financed projects, including those of the EBRD, are facing significant delays mainly related to capacity constraints at the relevant Government Agencies to implement these complex infrastructure projects in accordance with IFI’s policies and procedures, and agreed timeframes. Issues can range from complications related to the treatment of land acquisition, resettlement, livelihood restoration and social compensation, to handling procurement processes, from tendering to selection and contracting. During the visit of EBRD’s First Vice President to Kosovo in November 2018, both the Prime Minister and the Minister of Finance acknowledged these difficulties, and requested the support of EBRD in addressing them. As a first important step, the Government of Kosovo agreed to establish an Infrastructure Central Delivery Unit (ICDU) within the Ministry of Finance. The Unit will be composed of local civil servants, hired by the Ministry, demonstrating significant commitment of the Government.
In response to the Government’s request, EBRD shall provide technical assistance to support the establishment and first years of operations of the ICDU with practical guidance and building of technical and legal capacity amongst its members.
Project Objective
The objective of the project will be to unlock implementation of existing IFI financed infrastructure projects, and in general to facilitate timely implementation of IFI financed public infrastructure projects, as well as to build capacities for adequate continuous monitoring of project implementation. This will include capacity building to address procurement, and environmental and social related matters in line with best practices and broader EBRD/EU/IFI standards.
EBRD shall select and contract an experienced firm to provide a team of international Construction and Engineering Contracting (FIDIC), Environmental and Social experts, who will support the establishment of the Infrastructure Central Delivery Unit (ICDU) since its inception and organization, through:
a) Assessment of the currently locked infrastructure projects and respective impediments; preparing of an Action Plan for addressing the identified obstacles; and seeing it through realization and disbursement of financing projects. Actions shall cover issues related to (i) the procurement and contracting processes,(ii) all environmental aspects (ESIAs) of the projects; and (iii) all social aspects (ESIAs) of the projects;
b) Defining roles and responsibilities within the ICDU and the relevant agencies and Ministries in a roadmap for coordination;
c) Building capacity in the ICDU and relevant ministries and state agencies on areas of procurement, tendering and contracting, EU environmental standards in transport infrastructure delivery, and applicable social protections standards in the context of infrastructure projects.
The expected duration of the project is two years, conditional upon tangible results achieved by the end of the first year.
Any competitive selections for business opportunities relating to this project will be published on the EBRD's website: Consultancy Procurement Opportunities.
General enquiries
EBRD project enquiries not related to procurement:
Tel: +44 20 7338 7168
Email: projectenquiries@ebrd.com
Access to Information Policy (AIP)
The AIP sets out how the EBRD discloses information and consults with its stakeholders so as to promote better awareness and understanding of its strategies, policies and operations following its entry into force on 1 January 2020. Please visit the Access to Information Policy page to find out what information is available from the EBRD website.
Specific requests for information can be made using the EBRD Enquiries form
Independent Project Accountability Mechanism (IPAM)
If efforts to address environmental, social or public disclosure concerns with the Client or the Bank are unsuccessful (e.g. through the Client’s Project-level grievance mechanism or through direct engagement with Bank management), individuals and organisations may seek to address their concerns through the EBRD’s Independent Project Accountability Mechanism (IPAM).
IPAM independently reviews Project issues that are believed to have caused (or to be likely to cause) harm. The purpose of the Mechanism is: to support dialogue between Project stakeholders to resolve environmental, social and public disclosure issues; to determine whether the Bank has complied with its Environmental and Social Policy or Project-specific provisions of its Access to Information Policy; and where applicable, to address any existing non-compliance with these policies, while preventing future non-compliance by the Bank.
Please visit the Independent Project Accountability Mechanism webpage to find out more about IPAM and its mandate; how to submit a Request for review; or contact IPAM via email ipam@ebrd.com to get guidance and more information on IPAM and how to submit a request.
